by Elysha Rom-Povolo, HealthJobsStartHere.com
With the economy in the dumps, job security is more important than ever. And that means choosing a field where you can be sure your skills will be in demand for years to come.
Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over the next eight years health care job openings are expected to grow twice as fast as those in all other sectors of the economy combined.
In fact, seven of the top twenty fastest-growing careers are in health care. Here's where the opportunities are (with data from BLS):
1. Home care aide
Expected job growth: 53%
There are minimal requirements to become a home care aide -- and it's one of the most in-demand jobs in the country. Home care aides care for people who are disabled in their own homes. Besides assisting with laundry, meals and household tasks, home health aides may also advise patients and their families on nutrition, cleanliness, and other household activities. If you're looking for a health job that doesn't require special training, this is a great place to start. Typical salaries range from $17,895 to $23,481 a year.
2. Medical assistants
Expected job growth: 36%
Medical assistants help with essential administrative and clinical tasks that keep hospitals and clinics running smoothly. They update medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle billing and bookkeeping, and take patients' vital signs. Medical assistants make between $24,317 and $36,987 a year and can be trained on the job or through a short certification program.
3. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants
Expected job growth: 33%
Physical therapists help people recover from injuries and prevent permanent physical disabilities. While becoming a physical therapist requires a master's degree, you can get certified as a physical therapist assistant in just two years and begin earning $44,762 to $61,139 a year right away.
4. Pharmacy technicians
Expected job growth: 32%
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medication to patients by preparing prescriptions, maintaining patient records, organizing insurance claim forms and stocking inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians enter the field through on the job training, and typically make $30,085 to $40,285 a year.
5. Dental hygienists
Expected job growth: 31%
Dental hygienists clean teeth, look for oral disease and provide preventative care. Since they often work with the dentist during treatment, dental hygienists also have to be familiar with various instruments including ultrasonics, X-ray machines, and syringes. Dental hygienists must complete a two-year certification program before entering the field and they earn between $60,654 and $93,475.
6. Physician Assistants
Expected job growth: 30%
Physician assistants perform tasks typically performed by a doctor. They take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries and may supervise technicians and assistants. This job requires a master's degree and brings a salary of $70,390 to $98,751.
7. Occupational Therapists
Expected job growth: 29%
Occupational therapists help people with mental or physical disabilities develop or recover the skills they need for work and daily living. Occupational therapists are required to earn a master's degree and make a salary of $64,402 to $88,664. However, if you are looking to get into the field more quickly and still make some money, consider getting a two-year certification as an occupational therapist assistant and making $43,337 to $59,404.
With the economy in the dumps, job security is more important than ever. And that means choosing a field where you can be sure your skills will be in demand for years to come.
Health care is one of the fastest growing industries in the nation. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over the next eight years health care job openings are expected to grow twice as fast as those in all other sectors of the economy combined.
In fact, seven of the top twenty fastest-growing careers are in health care. Here's where the opportunities are (with data from BLS):
1. Home care aide
Expected job growth: 53%
There are minimal requirements to become a home care aide -- and it's one of the most in-demand jobs in the country. Home care aides care for people who are disabled in their own homes. Besides assisting with laundry, meals and household tasks, home health aides may also advise patients and their families on nutrition, cleanliness, and other household activities. If you're looking for a health job that doesn't require special training, this is a great place to start. Typical salaries range from $17,895 to $23,481 a year.
2. Medical assistants
Expected job growth: 36%
Medical assistants help with essential administrative and clinical tasks that keep hospitals and clinics running smoothly. They update medical records, fill out insurance forms, handle billing and bookkeeping, and take patients' vital signs. Medical assistants make between $24,317 and $36,987 a year and can be trained on the job or through a short certification program.
3. Physical therapists and physical therapist assistants
Expected job growth: 33%
Physical therapists help people recover from injuries and prevent permanent physical disabilities. While becoming a physical therapist requires a master's degree, you can get certified as a physical therapist assistant in just two years and begin earning $44,762 to $61,139 a year right away.
4. Pharmacy technicians
Expected job growth: 32%
Pharmacy technicians help pharmacists provide medication to patients by preparing prescriptions, maintaining patient records, organizing insurance claim forms and stocking inventory of medications. Pharmacy technicians enter the field through on the job training, and typically make $30,085 to $40,285 a year.
5. Dental hygienists
Expected job growth: 31%
Dental hygienists clean teeth, look for oral disease and provide preventative care. Since they often work with the dentist during treatment, dental hygienists also have to be familiar with various instruments including ultrasonics, X-ray machines, and syringes. Dental hygienists must complete a two-year certification program before entering the field and they earn between $60,654 and $93,475.
6. Physician Assistants
Expected job growth: 30%
Physician assistants perform tasks typically performed by a doctor. They take medical histories, examine and treat patients, order and interpret laboratory tests and X-rays, make diagnoses and prescribe medications. They also treat minor injuries and may supervise technicians and assistants. This job requires a master's degree and brings a salary of $70,390 to $98,751.
7. Occupational Therapists
Expected job growth: 29%
Occupational therapists help people with mental or physical disabilities develop or recover the skills they need for work and daily living. Occupational therapists are required to earn a master's degree and make a salary of $64,402 to $88,664. However, if you are looking to get into the field more quickly and still make some money, consider getting a two-year certification as an occupational therapist assistant and making $43,337 to $59,404.
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